Most Disappointing Products of 2022
There were tons of excellent products released in 2022, but there were also some duds! For example, Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Eyes to Mesmerise were spectacularly bad, which was quite unexpected given the raves for the original formula (which has shimmer). I had high hopes for Moira’s Diamond Daze Liquid Shadows but so many were poor; the same was true Kosas 10-Second Eyeshadows (reformulation) and NYX Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadows. You could say that liquid eyeshadows and I did not get on that well in 2022…
They’re not all reviewed, but the ones that have been reviewed (and nothing is changing in the ones to-be-reviewed, lol), Rose Inc finally disappointed me with their Satin Duet Eyeshadows. Estee Lauder managed to put out some of the worst eyeshadow ever, let alone in 2022, with their reformulated Pure Color Quads.
I had high expectations for Makeup by Mario’s Ethereal Eyes, but it was such a divergence from past formulations and really did not perform well enough to justify the price point.
What were your disappointments in 2022?
Most Disappointing Products of 2022
Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes 12-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($68.00 for 0.36 oz.) contains a mix of mattes and shimmers that created a mix of warm-toned...
Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes 12-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($68.00 for 0.36 oz.) contains a mix of mattes and shimmers that created a mix of warm-toned...
Chanel Prune Souveraine (878) Rouge Allure L'Extrait Lip Colour ($55.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a blackened burgundy with subtle, cool undertones and a...
Chanel Prune Souveraine (878) Rouge Allure L'Extrait Lip Colour ($55.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a blackened burgundy with subtle, cool undertones and a...
NYX Golden Goji Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadow ($10.50 for 0.25 oz.) is a light copper with moderate, warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It was one of...
NYX Golden Goji Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadow ($10.50 for 0.25 oz.) is a light copper with moderate, warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It was one of...
Kosas Blaze 10-Second Eye Eyeshadow ($15.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a light, golden bronze with warmer undertones and a pearl finish. It had semi-sheer,...
Kosas Blaze 10-Second Eye Eyeshadow ($15.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a light, golden bronze with warmer undertones and a pearl finish. It had semi-sheer,...
MAC Perpetual Shock Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eye Liner ($23.00 for 0.01 oz.) is a bright cobalt blue with strong cool undertones and a mostly matte...
MAC Perpetual Shock Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eye Liner ($23.00 for 0.01 oz.) is a bright cobalt blue with strong cool undertones and a mostly matte...
Sydney Grace Kaleidoscope Loose Pigment ($6.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium-dark, rusty-red base with flecks of copper-to-red shifting sparkle. It...
Sydney Grace Kaleidoscope Loose Pigment ($6.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium-dark, rusty-red base with flecks of copper-to-red shifting sparkle. It...
Moira Goldstar Diamond Daze Liquid Shadow ($8.50 for 0.1 oz.) is a medium-dark gold with strong, warm undertones that seemed to have a clear base with...
Moira Goldstar Diamond Daze Liquid Shadow ($8.50 for 0.1 oz.) is a medium-dark gold with strong, warm undertones that seemed to have a clear base with...
Rose Inc Satin Plum/Lavender Shimmer Satin & Shimmer Duet Eyeshadow ($30.00 for 0.1 oz.) includes a sparkling, very light lavender powder eyeshadow...
Rose Inc Satin Plum/Lavender Shimmer Satin & Shimmer Duet Eyeshadow ($30.00 for 0.1 oz.) includes a sparkling, very light lavender powder eyeshadow...
Charlotte Tilbury Nude Cashmere Matte Eyes to Mesmerise ($34.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a light-medium beige with subtle, warm peachy undertones and a matte...
Charlotte Tilbury Nude Cashmere Matte Eyes to Mesmerise ($34.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a light-medium beige with subtle, warm peachy undertones and a matte...
Kosas Electric 10-Second Eye Eyeshadow ($15.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a light peach with warmer undertones and a pearl sheen. It had sheer color coverage...
Kosas Electric 10-Second Eye Eyeshadow ($15.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a light peach with warmer undertones and a pearl sheen. It had sheer color coverage...
Moira Sending Me Diamond Daze Liquid Shadow ($8.50 for 0.1 oz.) is a darker, golden copper with warm undertones and a glittering finish that was very,...
Moira Sending Me Diamond Daze Liquid Shadow ($8.50 for 0.1 oz.) is a darker, golden copper with warm undertones and a glittering finish that was very,...
Charlotte Tilbury Diffused Black Matte Eyes to Mesmerise ($34.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a medium-dark black with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It...
Charlotte Tilbury Diffused Black Matte Eyes to Mesmerise ($34.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a medium-dark black with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It...
Loads of fails this year in the eyeshadow department, especially regarding cream and liquid ones! Yikes 😬
They are hard to get right!!
I didn’t like the Kosas eyeshadow either; I got one in a Sephora box or as a free gift, I think? It was a disappointing mess. The list of things I tried that other people liked and I hated included Tower 28 lip glosses — unpleasantly sticky and the formula smelled and tasted so bad, I couldn’t even justify passing it on to anyone. I also have and dislike the Tower 28 Beach Please blush in Magic Hour. It’s a beautiful color and can go on nicely, but is hard to blend and DOES NOT DRY DOWN. Ever. Even with setting spray. I liked the Kosas brow gel until it started to smell “off” and I had to toss it less than 3 months from opening. I also tried the Rare Beauty Tinted Moisturizer that so many people like, and it caused an allergic reaction making my eyes itch and swell. Needless to say, that one went right back to Sephora.
I loved the Kosas brow gel, but it dried up in a VERY short time. Didn’t smell bad lie,yours, but I’m not sure I got my moneys worth.
Yep – these are the duds alright. The one that really shocked me was the Ethereal palette – it looked so beautiful and then it turned out to be quite rubbish. Looks are so deceiving!
I did think the EL eyeshadow quads would be better than they were – but then look how awful the second iteration of VB X EL quads were – and this is really what Estee Lauder is like.
Thank you for compiling this list and for everything you do to keep us makeup savvy!
As someone on a permanent low-buy, I’d just like to thank you, Christine, for giving us such a great resource in Temptalia.
That Chanel lipstick is a swoon-worthy colour, but I know I can dupe it with a budget product already in my stash *and* know it’s better quality!
Here’s to a great new year for all, budget buyers or luxury lovers. ❤️
My pleasure, Rabbit!
I’m really Jonesin’ for a new eyeshadow palette and because I liked the ABH/Mario palette (even though Christine’s review and a lot of other reviews weren’t stellar), I was really hoping the Makeup By Mario Ethereal palette would be a good one but it is disappointing, from all I’ve read about it. There are two new-ish ABH palettes – Nouveau and Rose Metal – but I’m not sure either of them is really for me and I don’t want to waste a substantial amount of money just because I feel this need to buy an eyeshadow palette…almost any eyeshadow palette!
*E. l. f. Lash It Loud Mascara. It smeared all over my lower lashes. I’d never had a mascara do that before.
*A GWP, City Color Cosmetics Blooming Kisses Lipstick in Aster was a dud due to a strong and long lasting floral scent and taste. The color also gave me “concealer lips.” The formula itself was nice.
*Not a complete dud, but the Juvia’s Place pencil eyeliners don’t stay on my waterline at all. I was especially hoping the beautiful sapphire blue one would have worked. It’s a great liner on the upper and lower lids, though.